Everything Nac

Nearly 410 years after it was written, William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre, brings its story to Turner Auditorium in a way that will entertain and educate audiences in a big way.

Dr. Rick Jones, director of this production and professor in the School of Theatre, says that this is a play “with often beautiful language and psychologically complex characters, and a good story, with intrigue, sensuality, armed combat and a supernatural element,” which is sure to inspire audiences with themes of fate and leadership.

“Macbeth” is arguably Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, and it is also a personal favorite of Jones. So, why do this show now?

Although some students may consider Shakespeare to be boring and out-of-date, this could not be less true for this production, Jones explained. In fact, this play could almost never be more applicable than now.

“This is a play about political machination as we head into primary season for the next presidential election,” Jones said. “It’s a play that speaks to the belief that we all have from time to time – that we’re not really in control of our own fates.”

That is a belief with which many students can sympathize. This production will also be an educational opportunity, as “Macbeth” holds some important historical significance that many may not recognize, Jones explained.

“It’s one of the most significant of Shakespeare’s plays in historical terms because it so clearly demonstrates Shakespeare’s transition from plays designed to appeal to Queen Elizabeth to those designed to appeal to King James,” he said.

This production of “Macbeth” employs a two-world concept, where the witch characters exist in a modern 21st century world, manipulating the events of the play, while the mortal characters exist in a pre-Norman Britain, which is the time of the real historical Macbeth, several hundred years before Shakespeare’s time, according to Jones.

This production is a true collaboration between SFA School of Theatre faculty and students, featuring faculty designers Tara Houston (scenery), CC Conn (sound), Angela Bacarisse (costumes), and faculty fight choreographer Slade Billew, along with student designers Troy Carrico (lights), Kate Shirley (choreographer), Shelby Gilliland (dramaturg) and Taylor Dobbs (properties).

The School of Theatre will present “Macbeth” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 17 through 21, as well as a matinee performance at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.

The Mainstage Series is sponsored in part by Tipton Ford Lincoln.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s annual Homecoming celebration will be Friday, Oct. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 1, in Nacogdoches.

The “Haunted Homecoming” weekend festivities will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, with the SFA Alumni Association Golf Tournament at the Piney Woods Country Club, followed by the Back in Nac Social from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Liberty Bell Restaurant and Bar in downtown Nacogdoches.

The Homecoming Torchlight Parade will begin at 8:30 p.m. at the SFA “Surfin Steve” statue and end at the Intramural Fields for the bonfire, pep rally, fireworks show and Bart Crow Band concert.

Homecoming will resume at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, with the Flap“Jack” Breakfast at Nacogdoches’ City Hall. The fifth annual Lumberjack Homecoming Certified 5K will be held in conjunction with the breakfast, also beginning at 8 a.m. in the parking lot behind SFA’s Schlief Tennis Complex.

This year’s Homecoming Parade will begin at 10 a.m. in downtown Nacogdoches. Following the conclusion of the parade, all Homecoming festivities will move to Alumni Corner, located on the corner of Raguet and Hayter Streets, in front of the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center. Tailgating will begin at noon, and attendees also can partake in the 24th annual Duck Dash at the SFA Ag Pond. The race will begin at noon, and Ducks may be sponsored until Thursday, Oct. 29.

A special event at Homecoming this year will be the family-friendly Jack-O-Ween fall festival from noon to 2:30 p.m. also at the corner of Raguet and Hayter Streets. The Halloween-inspired event will include bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, magic, games, giveaways, and much more. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.

Homecoming also will feature the fourth annual Homecoming Online Auction that will run through Sunday, Nov. 1, as well as the annual football game. The SFA Lumberjacks are scheduled to play the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Homer Bryce Stadium.

To purchase event tickets, benefit tickets and/or Duck Dash sponsorships, visit www.sfaalumni.com or the Tracie D. Pearman Alumni Center on SFA’s campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information about Homecoming events, contact the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407 or visit www.sfaalumni.com.

During the past year, Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Human Sciences’ food, nutrition and dietetics program has expanded its degree and minor options to meet the needs of the growing interest in nutrition and health.

Students can now choose from three focus areas within the food, nutrition and dietetics degree plan: dietetics courses with a registered dietitian focus, pre-professional courses with a registered dietitian focus, and food and nutrition courses with a non-registered dietitian focus. The dietetics and pre-professional focus areas are suited for students seeking to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. In addition, the pre-professional focus area helps prepare students who want to pursue a pre-professional degree and advance to medical, pharmacy, dental and other schools.

The food and nutrition courses with a non-registered dietitian focus area is the newest addition to the degree plan. This degree option allows students to choose courses specific to their career goals while developing skills in areas such as communication, marketing, management and health sciences.

Dr. Lynda Martin, director of the SFA School of Human Sciences, said this focus area is directed toward community-based professions.

“Students can take their passion, match it with nutrition and move forward to a fabulous career,” Martin said. “This degree allows students to do what they love.”

Dr. Darla O’Dwyer, dietetic internship director and associate professor, said this degree option is a great opportunity for students who love nutrition. She collects data on graduate employment and said that SFA students, who have recently graduated with this degree, have secured outstanding careers in the field.

SFA alumni have obtained jobs as a nutrition surveyor at the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, an assistant food service director for Houston Independent School District, a representative for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sales, and nutritionists for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children, to name a few. With this degree, students also can acquire careers in journalism, marketing, home health and more.

In addition to the new focus area, the program has implemented a new minor: nutrition in healthcare.

“With this new minor, we hope to attract students who might be majoring in biology, chemistry, or other sciences and also are interested in the field of nutrition,” O’Dwyer said. “What is unique about this minor is that students will learn how to practice effective communication skills, look at real-life scenarios from case-study applications, gain experience through participation in community outreach, and apply their biochemistry knowledge to health and disease.”

For more information, contact O’Dwyer at dodwyer@sfasu.edu or Martin at martinlj@sfasu.edu.